But a failure to build on the lead despite looking dangerous left the door open to a second-half rally from Croatia, who equalised through Ivan Perisic in the 68th minute and secured a place in the final courtesy of Mario Mandzukic's strike 19 minutes into extra time.

Pickford, one of England's standout performers in Russia, felt victory was well within reach.

"We needed that next goal to kill off the tie," he told ITV.

"We had some good chances, never put them away, and I feel like if we got that goal before half-time or in the first 15 of the second half we might have had that opportunity to win the game.

"A team like Croatia, we know their threats going forward. They've got some top quality players and they showed a bit in the second half."

Pickford also raised the question of whether Perisic should have been called for a high foot in netting the equaliser.